In Grade 7 this week, we went a little deeper into considering different sources of information about past civilizations. We revisited the concept of primary & secondary sources. Using a number of images of archaeological artifacts, students began exercising their critical thinking skills.
As an example, when you look at the 14,000 year old cave paintings from Altimera in Spain, what information can it give us about what life was like in the prehistoric past? One student suggested “That people were hunting for horses and other animals” for food “a long time ago.” Understanding how to analyze a source will be integral to students growth as inquirers, researchers, questioners, and thinkers. Analysis is process of connecting to ‘what you think’ about a thing and ‘why you think that’ about the thing. Also, is that the only way to think about the thing?